RECONNECT WITH SIX SENSES: THESE LUXURY DESTINATIONS INVITE YOU TO SELF-DISCOVERY
Relax with rituals, unforgettable experiences and wellness days.
16 December 2020
This turbulent year has encouraged people to stay at home, reduce their social life and forgo adventure. This has also tamed the inner child and dulled the senses. The hotel group Six Senses now invites you on a journey of discovery to reawaken these senses, reconnect with nature and yourself and achieve harmony through body, mind and heart. There are currently 16 different hotels, for example in China, Bali or Portugal.
As soon as it is possible again, guests at each of the Six Senses destinations will be given the opportunity to detach their thoughts from the hustle and bustle of the past year. The connection to nature is intended to help them better find themselves. Rituals, unique nature experiences and soothing wellness days help people feel more connected again. After all, the idea behind Reconnect With Six Senses is that connection is an innate human need. When that connection is disconnected, people often feel down, isolated and lonely.
The rituals
The rituals at each Six Senses destination are led by local experts. Their skills help to introduce guests to ancient traditions and cultures so that they can respect and appreciate them. Old patterns are broken, one is open to new things.
In ancient Vietnam, for example, there were traditional arrival rituals that were part of important ceremonies to welcome guests to the village or local community. To honor this tradition at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, guests are invited to strike a gong upon arrival. As the long sound slowly fades away, guests can repeat for themselves their heartfelt wish for their stay in peace. At the hotels in Cambodia, Fiji, Turkey and Bhutan, guests are invited to simply let go of unwanted memories, fears or negative emotions at a fire circle.
When the guests leave, there are farewell rituals such as planting rice to pause for a moment and say thank you. In doing so, they wish for rain so that the local communities will have enough water to drink and grain for the harvest.
Reconnection Experiences
These customized experiences vary by destination, community, and ecology, and typically last a half or full day. They are designed to entice guests to rediscover their sense of adventure while exploring the flora, fauna and way of life.
The Chorten Nyingpo Monastery is located in the valley of Six Senses Punakha (Bhutan). Guests are invited to interact with monks there after a forest hike and learn about their daily lives over a traditional breakfast. Back at the lodge, a mandala offering ceremony helps refocus the mind through simple meditation.
At Six Senses Laamu, guests reconnect with nature during morning snorkeling on the house reef. Back on land, a workshop offers the opportunity to explore turtles or manta rays. A dolphin cruise and beach barbecue follow at sunset. With the feet in the sand at the end of such a beautiful day, the connection to nature can be found again.
Wellness days
In uncertain times, the ability to see the sunny side, to feel gratitude, may dwindle. The newly created Wellness Days introduce guests to techniques, treatments and activities that help build a stronger body, improve mental stability and thus achieve a sense of balance and fulfillment. A fresh start in a single day. There are three different models:
- Boost Your Immunity: Key elements such as nutrition, sleep and exercise are taken into account. Wellness experts design a personalized plan to build a strong body and immune system and also provide the guest with a plan to take home. Elements include yoga and breathing exercises, exercise classes, spa treatments, meditations, a gratitude journal and sleep observations.
- Mind Your Brain: Here you focus on health and improving brain function. It mixes ancient practices like yoga and meditation with modern science and biohacks like memory training, developmental drawing, and binaural sounds. Activities include morning yoga sequences, saunas and plunge pools, aromatherapy massages, omega-3-rich foods, binaural sounds, brain jogging, and engagement with the subconscious.
- Love Your Heart: This is a day of reflection to free yourself from old baggage, set new goals and learn how to reconnect with your heart and what that exactly means. By listening to the "sixth sense" and the wisdom that already lies within the heart, it is possible to increase compassion and awareness and feel a stronger connection to Mother Nature. Components of this day include: A morning stretching session, a hearty breakfast, a spiritual walk, a spa treatment, a nature walk, a kindness and love meditation, and a fire ceremony.
Talks
When people and ideas come together, sparks can fly. These light-hearted, yet thought-provoking workshops offer the opportunity to focus on how to feel good about yourself and your surroundings. They offer assistance in possibly getting preconceptions out of the way and thinking about positive change. "With Reconnect With Six Senses, we've tried to offer, in some ways, the change we want to see," says Neil Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of Six Senses. "When we open our hearts and minds, we know where we belong. As a brand, we are also taking a bold step by showing up as full versions of ourselves and as people who are open to learning and guided by awareness, compassion, gratitude and curiosity. Whether it's just taking time out to walk in the woods to look deeply within, or trying to discern the wisdom of our ancestors. The supportive work we do underscores our vision to reconnect with ourselves, others, and the world around us."
Picture Credit: Six Senses, Paul Gilmore / Unsplash, Sabine Schulte / Unsplash